Emergency Preparedness

Barnard Emergency Preparedness Information

World events have again focused attention on the need, both in our own homes and while away from home, to think carefully about the resources needed to keep us safe and secure in the case of an emergency or unforeseen event.

While there is no way to fully anticipate the exact nature of the emergencies and challenges that we as a community may face, at Barnard we have focused our efforts on improving basic emergency management procedures in the event of an unforeseen event as well as emergency response protocols for various emergencies. We are also indeed very fortunate that New York City has one of the most advanced and responsive public safety systems in the world.

Barnard College’s Emergency Plan

Barnard has taken the following steps to increase our emergency preparedness:

Barnard’s Emergency Management Plan has been updated and provides for a clear communications protocol and the formation of an Emergency Management Team to respond to large-scale campus and citywide emergencies. Senior members of the staff remain in regular contact with local, state, and federal agencies and receive the most up-to-date information and advice on the nature of the risks and the precautions to be taken. Our Executive Director of Public Safety attends regular briefings offered by the NYC Police concerning the City’s emergency preparedness.

Senior staff members participate in Columbia University’s Emergency Management Operations Team, and we have agreed to share resources, information, and support services as needed. Read Columbia’s latest statement on emergency preparedness.

Primary and backup emergency centers have been designated on campus, and a third backup center is being considered on the Columbia University campus. These areas will be used to direct the College’s activities in the event of a major disruption. These areas have backup utilities and equipment, communications capabilities, copies of critical college documents, rosters, building plans, and other essential contact information.

Barnard Hall, the Hewitt dining room and the lower level of the Diana Center will be used as staging areas in the event that campus buildings are evacuated and cannot be reoccupied.

The College has, on the advice of emergency planning experts, been increasing its on-campus nonperishable food and water supplies in order to maintain a three-day supply of food and water.

Columbia University and Barnard College are in the process of creating an automated, multiuser call-in number that can be used to disseminate basic information about campus, neighborhood, and citywide conditions.

Building Evacuation Procedures / “Shelter in Place”

In the event of a large-scale emergency, residents and occupants of buildings may be instructed, by alarms or announcements, to evacuate buildings. Should this occur, please follow the following instructions.

Immediately leave the building as signaled/instructed, closing the door to the room or office you are leaving.

Proceed carefully and quickly to the nearest exit to the outdoors. Do not use elevators.

Proceed to assembly points and await further instructions from staff, who will direct you to additional spaces should the need arise.

Residence Life Staff and Security personnel will be there to respond to the emergency and to provide direction and assistance.

All persons are required to check in with Residential Life and/or Public Safety Staff prior to leaving Assembly Point.

All assembly locations are for immediate short-term use only.

Immediate Evacuation Assembly Points for Barnard College:

Building

Evacuation Assembly Points Outdoor

Evacuation Assembly Points Indoor

600 W 116th Street

North side of 116th Street

Lobby of 616

616 W 116th Street

North side of 116th Street

Lobby of 620

620 W 116th Street

North side of 116th Street

Lobby of 616

110th Street College Residence

Northeast Corner of 110th St and Riverside

121st Street

Southeast corner of 121st Street & Broadway

Altschul Hall

Milbank Courtyard and Northeast Corner of Claremont & 120th Street

Diana Center Oval, Student Dining Room

Barnard Hall

Arthur Ross Courtyard - Quad

Sulzberger Annex & Sulzberger lobby

Cathedral Gardens

Northwest Corner of Manhattan Ave and 109th Street

Diana Center

Milbank Courtyard

Altschul Hall: Lehman Auditorium & Atrium

Elliott Hall

Northwest Corner of 119th Street and Claremont Ave

Diana Center Oval & Student Dining Room via Altschul Hall LL Entrance

Milbank Hall

Northwest Corner of 120th Street and Broadway

Northwest Corner of 120th Street and Claremont Ave

Diana Center Oval & Student Dining Room

Milstein Center

Westside of Claremont Ave corner of 116th St

Diana Center Oval & Student Dining Room

Plimpton Hall

Northeast Corner of 120th Street and Amsterdam Ave

Quad (Brooks, Hewitt, Reid, & Sulzberger)

Main Gate Courtyard and Corner of 116th St and Broadway

Barnard Hall Lobby, then to additional locations as directed

In the event that it is necessary to leave a building or buildings for an extended period, the College has designated the following locations for assembly: Hewitt Student Dining Room and Lower Level of the Diana Center

Should any of these locations be inaccessible, you should proceed to one of the other available areas designated for assembly. Once you are assembled, College officials and others will, depending on the nature of the emergency, advise members of the community of the options and resources available to them, including alternate sleeping arrangements, meals, medical treatment, communications options, and other services.

Experience has shown that certain members of the College population will voluntarily leave campus under emergency conditions. Some will go to relatives or friends, while others will attempt to get home. For this reason, we strongly suggest that you let your family know ahead of time if there are alternative sites that you may relocate to and provide them with as much contact information as possible.

Please also understand that there are certain emergency conditions under which it is advisable that people remain inside. This is often referred to as “shelter in place.” In such instances, you will be advised by College or public safety officials to remain indoors with doors and windows closed. That is why it is particularly important that you follow the directions of campus officials and other public safety workers. Read an explanation of the direction to “shelter in place.”

There are a number of helpful resources available online to assist you in any personal preparations you may wish to make. The following are some websites that are often recommended as a good starting point for basic emergency preparations: